Republican News · Thursday 17 July 2003

Ardoyne death threats ahead of Orange march

A number of Catholic residents from Ardoyne who applied for a judicial review against the Parades Commission decision to allow an Orange parade through their area have received death threats from the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used by the UDA.

The PSNI contacted a number of people, including two woman, on Friday night 11 July, warning them of an imminent threat on their lives and to review their personal security.

Sinn Féin North Belfast Assembly member Gerry Kelly said one of those threatened had submitted an affidavit to the court asking for an Orange parade through the nationalist Ardoyne and Mountainview areas to be rerouted.

"These threats are a very worrying development and raise serious questions about the ability of the UDA to directly target and threaten those who were opposed to this sectarian march. Who is passing on information to these death gangs?" asked Kelly.

Residents' spokesperson Gerard McGuigan told An Phoblacht the threats were made against the residents to intimidate them.

Phoblacht was also told that the loyalist grouping issued a threat to the Parades Commission itself and that Tony Holland, chair of the Commission, withdrew Parades Commission observers from Saturday's march through Ardoyne.